Casa Montelongo

Situated in the traditional inland village of La Oliva, Casa Montelongo is a hidden gem that is hidden in plain sight. It forms part of a terrace of externally unremarkable single-storey houses alongside La Oliva's main street, but its inconspicuous facade gives no hint of the wow-factor that awaits inside.

The restoration of this old building and conversion into two extremely spacious apartments was overseen by architect Néstor Pérez Batista. Based in Berlin but born and raised on the neighbouring island of Lanzarote, he has created interiors that are both avant-garde and distinctly Canarian, and whilst the overall aesthetic is uncluttered and minimalist, carefully chosen furnishings and art works nevertheless create a warm and welcoming ambience.

From the street, you enter though an old wooden door into the shared entrance lobby, from which doors lead to the two self-contained dwellings on either side. Straight ahead is the large central patio garden, with its beautiful swimming pool reflecting the wall sculpture created by Tenerife-based artist Óscar Latuag. Each apartment has its own terrace area with two sun-loungers beside the pool, accessed by patio doors from different parts of the accommodation. Together with these doors, numerous windows render the interiors wonderfully light and airy, whilst cleverly designed natural ventilation eliminates the need for air-conditioning.

To the left is "El Antiguo Teatro", which as its name suggests was used as a space for entertainment and performances in days gone by. Today, this large holiday home is completely open-plan, except for the WC which is enclosed in its own cylindrical room. From the entrance hall, you enter into the kitchen-dining area, with a large dining table places in front of a wide panorama window facing the patio and pool. A wide stone arch leads through to the main space. At the nearest end of this is the living area, with a comfortable sofa, feature armchair and wall-mounted TV. The bathroom area is at the far end and features a large circular bathtub with and overhead shower. In between, the sleeping area has a large, free-standing double bed which can be screened off with a rather theatrical floor-to-ceiling curtain.

To the right, "La Antigua Vivienda" (The Old Home) is a little more conventional in its layout, with clearer divisions between the separate space, but no less spectacular. You enter directly into the comfortable living room, with an open-plan kitchen and dining area at its far end. A series of passages — cleverly lit by mirror-lined sky-lights — leads in turns to the double bedroom, the dressing room and the bathroom, which again has an impressive free-standing bath with overhead shower, although here it is rectangular.

Whilst the kitchens at Casa Montelongo are equipped for self-catering, with a full-size hob and oven, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, coffee-maker and toaster, your stay here does include a daily breakfast made from local ingredients and delivered to your apartment between 10 and 11 am. The apartments also benefit from daily maid service, and the owner Raúl and his team are happy to assist with any local information you may require.

Using the hire car that is included in your holiday here, it takes around 15 to 20 minutes to reach the bustling port and resort town of Corralejo and its long sandy beach with its protected sand dunes, or the sleepier coastal village of El Cotillo. There are a couple of simple bar/cafés within easy walking distance of Casa Montelongo, as well as a small mini-market, a pharmacy and a bakery. A selection of traditional local restaurants can be found in the nearby villages of Valverde and Lajares, including the popular one at the Hotel Rural Mahoh, which can be reached on foot in around 25 minutes. For those who prefer not to drive and who don't mind relying on the local bus service (with links to both Corralejo and El Cotillo) and taxis, we can also quote for the holiday with private airport transfers instead of car hire, but for those keen to explore the island at their own pace, we naturally recommend the car-inclusive option.

NB: As Casa Montelongo is such a unique property, special cancellation terms apply, with full payment required at the time of booking and no refunds in case of subsequent cancellation, so please ensure you have adequate travel insurance in place. A security deposit of €500 is required upon check-in, which is refunded in full provided that no damage has been caused to the property and its contents.